A doctor-performed treatment designed to address the uneven, pitted texture that can develop on the chin. Commonly referred to as chin dimpling, pebble chin or cobblestone chin, this appearance is often associated with increased activity of the mentalis muscle and may cause the skin on the chin to appear bumpy or uneven, including when the face is at rest.
Treatment may help reduce the appearance of chin dimpling in suitable candidates, although individual results can vary. M1 Med Beauty offers consultations for chin dimpling concerns at our Sydney CBD and Melbourne CBD clinics. Free consultations.
Chin dimpling is the bumpy, uneven texture that forms on the surface of the chin. It is also called pebble chin, cobblestone chin or orange peel chin, all of which describe the same characteristic dimpled appearance. The texture is caused by the mentalis muscle beneath the chin skin. When this muscle is overactive, it pulls and bunches the overlying skin, creating an irregular surface that becomes more visible with facial expressions and, over time, increasingly noticeable at rest.
It is worth distinguishing chin dimpling from a chin cleft, which is a structural feature. Chin dimpling is a textural issue driven by muscle activity, which means it responds well to a treatment that temporarily reduces that activity. A chin cleft is a shape in the bone itself and is a different matter entirely.
The primary cause is an overactive mentalis muscle. This muscle sits just beneath the chin skin and is responsible for certain lip and lower-face movements. When it is chronically tense or overactive, it creates visible dimpling and creasing in the overlying skin.
With age, the skin above the muscle becomes thinner and loses elasticity, which makes the muscle’s activity show through the surface more clearly.
Chin dimpling is treated with a doctor-performed procedure that targets activity in the mentalis muscle. As the muscle activity is reduced, the appearance of chin dimpling may soften and the skin may appear smoother. This can contribute to a more even-looking chin surface. The treatment involves a small number of precise placements in the chin area and typically takes only a few minutes.
Changes may develop gradually over the following one to two weeks as the muscle activity settles. Most patients are able to return to normal activities straight away. Individual results may vary.
Results are temporary and vary between individuals. Your doctor will discuss expected longevity at your consultation.
Most patients return to normal activities the same day. Some mild redness or tenderness at the treatment points is possible for a day or two. Your doctor will provide specific aftercare instructions before you leave.
Individual results vary. The outcomes shown here are specific to this patient and do not necessarily reflect the outcomes other patients may experience. All cosmetic procedures carry risks. Please consult one of our doctors before making any decisions.
Chin dimpling is the bumpy, uneven texture on the surface of the chin caused by an overactive mentalis muscle. It goes by several names: pebble chin, cobblestone chin, orange peel chin and, in some clinical contexts, chin creping. The muscle beneath the chin skin pulls and bunches the skin when active, creating the characteristic dimpled surface. Over time and as the skin thins with age, the texture becomes more visible even when the face is at rest.
A chin cleft is a structural feature, a natural groove in the chin bone that creates a visible indentation in the chin. It is genetic and unrelated to muscle activity. Chin dimpling is a textural issue caused by the mentalis muscle pulling on the overlying skin. The treatment described on this page addresses chin dimpling specifically. A chin cleft is a different structural feature and would not be affected by this treatment.
Chin dimpling treatment is brief and straightforward, and it is commonly performed alongside other facial treatments at the same appointment. If you are considering treatment for forehead lines, frown lines or other areas, it is worth mentioning your chin at the same consultation so your doctor can include it in the overall plan if appropriate.
